FOOTBALL: SERIE A: Napoli Out To Hit Inter On The Break

Francesco Montervino believes Napoli have the firepower, particularly on the counter-attack.

ROME: Serie A surprise outfit Napoli travel to Inter Milan this weekend confident they can emulate Panathinaikos and come away from the San Siro with three points.

Napoli currently sit in a Champions League qualifying position despite a recent blip in their early season form.

Captain Francesco Montervino believes they have the firepower, particularly on the counter-attack, to hurt Jose Mourinho’s leaders and reigning champions.

“It will be an open match. We need to be humble but also intelligent,” said Montervino.

“We mustn’t close up shop and we have to look to players such as (Ezequiel) Lavezzi and (Marek) Hamsik who are great, quick players on the counter-attack.”
That may not have been the approach Panathinaikos took to derail the Italian giants but for Napoli to upset the applecart they must look to their strengths, which are far more in going forward than trying to hold out at the back.

Recent results have gone against them as they lost at both AC Milan — to a late own-goal after playing the entire second half with 10 men — and Atalanta while managing only a draw at home to lowly Cagliari after letting in an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of the game.

A victory would propel Napoli back into the title race and would be welcomed by second placed AC Milan and third placed Juventus, respectively three and six points behind Inter.

Milan have a tricky trip to Palermo tomorrow while Juventus have what looks on paper like a simple three-pointer at home to Reggina.

Both teams dropped points last week, Milan after conceding a late equaliser against Torino, and need a victory to keep hold of Inter’s coat-tails.

Meanwhile, down the other end, AS Roma, who have won their last three matches, welcome Fiorentina, who currently sit sixth and need a win to try to keep themselves in the title picture.

But Roma coach Luciano Spalletti believes his team, who have finished runners up in the last three season, are back on track.

FOOTBALL: SERIE A: Napoli Out To Hit Inter On The Break

Francesco Montervino believes Napoli have the firepower, particularly on the counter-attack.

ROME: Serie A surprise outfit Napoli travel to Inter Milan this weekend confident they can emulate Panathinaikos and come away from the San Siro with three points.

Napoli currently sit in a Champions League qualifying position despite a recent blip in their early season form.

Captain Francesco Montervino believes they have the firepower, particularly on the counter-attack, to hurt Jose Mourinho’s leaders and reigning champions.

“It will be an open match. We need to be humble but also intelligent,” said Montervino.

“We mustn’t close up shop and we have to look to players such as (Ezequiel) Lavezzi and (Marek) Hamsik who are great, quick players on the counter-attack.”
That may not have been the approach Panathinaikos took to derail the Italian giants but for Napoli to upset the applecart they must look to their strengths, which are far more in going forward than trying to hold out at the back.

Recent results have gone against them as they lost at both AC Milan — to a late own-goal after playing the entire second half with 10 men — and Atalanta while managing only a draw at home to lowly Cagliari after letting in an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time at the end of the game.

A victory would propel Napoli back into the title race and would be welcomed by second placed AC Milan and third placed Juventus, respectively three and six points behind Inter.

Milan have a tricky trip to Palermo tomorrow while Juventus have what looks on paper like a simple three-pointer at home to Reggina.

Both teams dropped points last week, Milan after conceding a late equaliser against Torino, and need a victory to keep hold of Inter’s coat-tails.

Meanwhile, down the other end, AS Roma, who have won their last three matches, welcome Fiorentina, who currently sit sixth and need a win to try to keep themselves in the title picture.

But Roma coach Luciano Spalletti believes his team, who have finished runners up in the last three season, are back on track.